Knowledgebase

soil testing #925322

Asked March 02, 2026, 11:53 PM EST

does the extension service offer soil testing for gardeners? If not, can you recommend a local company?

Lane County Oregon

Expert Response

Hello, 

Thank you for reaching out to Ask Extension! Your local Master Gardeners may offer free pH testing for soil; please reach out directly to the program for more information: Have a Gardening Question? | OSU Extension Service

For more comprehensive tests, here are some services commonly used for garden soil testing:

Check the company’s website for fees and instructions on mailing samples. Make sure to send enough soil. There are no local walk-in labs in our area. Everything is mailed these days.

Remember to list what plant you want to grow in the area (vegetables, lawn, fruit trees, blueberries, etc.) and request recommendations with the soil test. Then, you will get specific advice on adjusting the fertilizer rates and pH for optimum growth.

Here’s an OSU Extension article with helpful info on soil testing. It covers collecting samples, the full list of soil testing labs, and how to interpret results.

Good luck with your garden and let me know if you have additional questions.

Best,  Replied March 03, 2026, 12:32 PM EST

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